Singapore guide: how to get there, what to see

Practical information for traveling to Singapore

The city state of Singapore is located next to Malaysia, and is home to over 5.75 million people. Its currency is the Singapore Dollar, and the official languages spoken include English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. The principle airport in Singapore is Singapore Changi Airport, which is often the recipient of industry awards. Singapore stands in the Singapore Time zone, or SGT; there is a time difference of 12 hours between Singapore and New York, and 15 hours between Singapore and Los Angeles, with Singapore's time being ahead of that in the US. When the clocks change in the US as a result of the end of Daylight Saving Time, in November, the time difference increases by one hour.

Which airlines operate flights to Singapore?

There is a large number of airlines which operate flights from the US to Singapore. Connecting flights from US cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland are operated by airlines including Qatar Airways, Philippine Air Lines, Eva Air, Air China, American Airlines and United Airlines. Departure airports include New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. All flights touch down in Singapore Changi Airport.

When is the best time to buy flight tickets to Singapore?

Singapore is a popular business destination, therefore the city is always busy with visitors in some capacity. When it comes to visiting Singapore for a vacation, the best time to book flights to the city will depend on your travel requirements. Those looking for cheap accommodation should travel between July and August, when business travel tails off yet the weather remains favorable. December to June is high season in Singapore: those looking to travel during this time should book their flights to Singapore well in advance to be sure of getting the best rate. Monsoon season in Singapore falls between November to January; travelers visiting Singapore during this time should go prepared for rain!

How long is the flight to Singapore?

From airports in New York City, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport, the flight time to Singapore is around 21 hours depending on the airline traveled with. From Chicago O'Hare Airport, the flight time to Singapore is around 21h 30m. From Los Angeles International Airport, the flight time to Singapore is 19 hours, and from Portland International Airport the flight time is approximately 19h 10m. All flight times mentioned refer to connecting flights, with one stop along the way.

What is there to see and do in Singapore?

Singapore is a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and as such is home to a large number of interesting attractions. The Gardens by the Bay is a vast nature park spread over 250 acres; it's also home to the largest greenhouse in the world. The 'supertrees' are an iconic sight within the gardens, while there are also biodomes and lakes to discover. Singapore is also home to the island resort of Sentosa; the movie themed amusement park of Universal Studios Singapore; and the world famous Singapore Zoo.

Accommodation in Singapore

Singapore caters to a range of tastes when it comes to accommodation, with affordable and extravagant options from hotels to hostels. There are plenty of cheap hotels in Singapore, however for all out luxury the Marina Bay Sands hotel is not only a popular choice, but also an iconic part of the Singapore skyline. Booking ahead is essential when it comes to accommodation in Singapore; the city's popularity with business travelers means hotels are often booked up, so plan in advance to get the best rates on your accommodation.